Now I want to know what it is." "It ain't anything." "Yes, it is.

Andrew, you ought to tell me.

You know I ain't afraid to bear anything that you have to bear, and Ellen is getting old enough now, so she can understand, and she can't always be spared.
She'd better get a little knowledge of hardships while she has us to help her bear 'em." "This ain't a hardship, and there ain't anything to spare, Ellen," said Andrew; and he laughed with a hilarity totally unlike him.
That was all Fanny could get out of him, but she was half reassured.
She told Eva that she didn't believe but he had been buying some Christmas present that he knew was extravagant for Ellen, and was afraid to tell her because he knew she would scold.

But Andrew had not been buying Christmas presents, but speculating in mining stocks.

He had resisted the temptation long.